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The packed 450-strong audience enjoyed a thrilling performance of classical Indian dance by four fabulous schoolgirls who put their hearts and souls into their debut show on stage.
Riya Sanjay, 13, Gayathri Mohanlal, 14, Vaishnavi S Naik, 15, and Shikha Suresh, 16, all pupils of The Indian School Bahrain, put on an exuberant and vibrant display under the guidance of celebrated tutor Kavitha Sanjay.
Friday’s show at the Salmabad venue offered a thoughtful and riveting presentation of Bharathanatyam, a form of classical dance that originated in the temples of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Exquisite pieces of rhythmic intricacies and thematic expressions of melodious and scintillating vibrations of rhythm and expressions were brought to life by the dancers individually in their performances.
They were supported by live musicians playing traditional Indian instruments with rhythm and style.
The backroom team worked wonders too supporting the performers and helping them display an exquisite vision under the spotlight. The scenery produced an authentic temple-like atmosphere adding to the drama of the occasion.
Bharathanatyam is known for its grace, purity, tenderness, expression and sculpturesque poses. Hindu deity Lord Shiva is considered the God of this dance form. Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced all over the world.
The teenage dancers were fortunate to be working under the guidance of award-winning Kavitha who studied the Vazhavur-style of Bharathanatyam at the prestigious Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai and was once named ‘The Best Upcoming Artist’ by the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy.
Arangetram is the debut on-stage performance of a classical art student after undertaking years of training – a public graduation performance for any art form. The four dance students had undergone training under their guru for six years.
A former tutor at the Indian Institute of Performing Arts, Bahrain, (IIPA) Kavitha is now working in the art department of The Indian School Bahrain.
The appreciative audience included school chairman Prince S Natarajan. Ravi Warrier, principal of the Quality Education School, Ambilikuttan, a director and principal of IIPA, Dr Shemily P John, honorary secretary of the school were also present.
– Deepak Warrier
